51To George Washington from Thomas Addenbrooke, 16 December 1771 (Washington Papers)
I have been Informd by My Mother and by some papers in my Custody find that my Grandfather’s Mother a young Widdow her name Broadhurst, Married a Gentleman Called Collonel Washington of Virginia, one of your Ancestors. if so I have the Honour of being a relation to you, which makes me take the Liberty to Trouble you with an Enquiry after an Estate which belonged to my Grandfather, and An...
52To George Washington from Thomas Addenbrooke, 26 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
In December 1771 I took the liberty to write to you requesting the Favour of you to Enquire After An Estate in Virginia that I had a right to not being favour’d with your Answer makes Me imagine my letter Miscarried. by some papers in my Custody I find my Great Grandfather (by my mothers side) Walter Broadhurst left a Widdow who married Mr John Washington of Westmoreland County I suppose an...
53To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 11 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have this day paid to Col. Pickering (Mr Wolcott being absent) Seventeen hundred dollars to be given to you as part of the instalment due on Matthew Ritchie’s bond. I had reason to expect to be able to pay the whole while here and as Mrs Addison wrote me that since I left home your letter requiring the payment had been received I was peculiarly anxious for a compleat compliance. I have...
54To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 21 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Addison, 21 Nov. 1798. GW wrote Addison on 6 Dec. 1798 that he had received “your favor of the 21st Ulto.”
55To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 6 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I should have sooner informed you if I could have seen or ascertained what sum of money you might expect on the last instalment of your Bond on M. Ritchie. That instalment was $3116.40 of which sum I have this day paid into the Bank of Pennsylvania one half together with interest on that half from the first of last month making together $1568. The instalment due at June 1798 was $3292.80....
56To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 22 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of yours of 9th ulto. I am perfectly satisfied with your demand of interest because though what is called compound interest is not recoverable in a Court of Justice I have always thought it ought to be. But as the interest of others was concerned I thought it my duty to submit it to your consideration and at the same time to be guided by your decision. I annex an account that...
57Enclosure: Alexander Addison to Thomas Mifflin, 12 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
My last letter to you was intended merely as an answer to your circular letter of 21st March, and was drawn from me by an idea, that it was proper for me to notice, according to my sentiments, the different subjects of your letter. Had I supposed, that it was to claim the attention of the President, to assume the solemn form of an accusation, and to be subjected to the resentment of a...
58To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 17 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Col. Matthew Ritchie who bought your land on Miller’s run in this county died nearly three months ago. His death will perhaps occasion some embarrassment in the next payment due to you. From various circumstances which I need not state the value or demand for lands is much reduced. He bought to sell again. Not one half has been sold for payments at different times and imperfectly made. I shall...
59To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Supposing that you would be in Philadelphia when I should arrive here, Matthew Ritchie of the town of Washington in this state desired me to adjust the future payments and obtain the execution of a conveyance from you to him of the lands on Miller’s Run in Washington county in this state, sold to him by Mr Ross in your name. About two months ago a bill for 3000 dollars was sent down to Mr Ross...
60To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 8 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
The other week the disputed line of the land you sold to Matthew Ritchie was run by Mr Morgan and another surveyor and settled by consent of Mr Reid who contended. There was very little difference between it and that last marked by Mr Morgan. An old line had been run probably a line of experiment and Reid had run his lines by it. The quantity may be considered as in Morgan’s survey. Some time...
61To George Washington from Henry Addison, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency, I trust, will not have wholly forgot the Name wch stands at the Foot of this Letter. The Owner of it can never forget that he had once the Pleasure & Honor of Mr Washington’s Acquaintance. Your Excellency will scarce have expected to receive a Letter from me ; & from this Place. Yet so it is that I arrived here about a Month ago from England, together with My Younger Son. The...
62To George Washington from Pierre-Auguste Adet, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I come to acquit myself of a duty very dear to my heart, I come to deposit in your hands and in the midst of a people justly renowned for their courage and their love of liberty, the symbol of the triumphs and of the enfranchisement of my nation. When she broke her chains, when she proclaimed the imprescriptible rights of man, when in a terrible war she sealed with her blood the covenant she...
63To George Washington from John Adlum, 3 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial and Petition of John Adlum Most Respectfully Sheweth, That your Memorialist stands informed that an appointment of Agent for Indian affairs for the Northern department, is about to be made—And your Memorialist being well acquainted with the greatest part of the Country inhabited by the six nations, and personally known to many of the Chiefs of that people—and acustomed to their...
64To George Washington from “Adolescens”, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ an address, most respected Sir, to one in your exalted Station, to which a fictitious name is subscribed may seem altogether strange & uncommon, yet the Contents of this letter will I hope be a sufficient apology for its Author’s temerity, and, I flatter myself that a Man whose heart is ever alive to the calls of Humanity, will not deem it an impertinent intrusion. That I may not trespass...
65To George Washington from Edmund Affleck, 30 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I intend not either to deny or to assert for it will neither facilitate business nor alleviate Distress. The Subject of your Letter seems to turn upon two Points, viz: the Inconveniencies & distresses which the American Prisoners suffer from the Inadequacy of Room in the Prison Ships which occasion the Death of many of them as you are told. The other is that a Commissary General of Prisoners...
66To George Washington from “A Friend”, 20 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
You with the assistance of Your Countrymen and Foreigners have effected a Wonderful Revolution You have free’d Yourselves from the power of the British Government a Government overwhelming in corruption and oppression, Now You are Free hol[d] Yourselves so form Wise Laws and see them executed but not with too much arbitrary Government for that brings on a Revolution such as will be in Ireland...
67To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 8 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The last time I addressed you was from Baltimore. I took an opportunity about that time to write a few hasty thoughts in support of what I suggested to you, and published them in the Baltimore Telegraphe, in seven or eight Letters. I have since been through all the Western parts of this state, and should it aid in producing a good end, it will be among my chief delights. I wished to be here at...
68To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 28 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
There has been a meeting in this town, for the unmeaning purpose of attempting to shake your opinion, on the subject of our late negociation. I deem it not improper to notice, that the men appointed, as actors, to shape the resolutions, are composed of that order in society, who are Confessedly unqualified, for want of information, to examine the subject on which they judged with such hasty...
69To George Washington from “A Genuine Federalist”, 25 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
How you will Brook this I know not and most probably will never know, be that as it May I hope you will attend to the following hints, so far as the[y] merit attention the[y] are Communicated by one who has neither a disposition to flatter nor to give offence and who is actuated by no other Motives than a desire to promote the publick interest and avert the evils with which we are threatned....
70To George Washington from Aiguillon, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Permit a Frenchman, who loves liberty, and is forced to quit his Country—a prey to factions, to offer his homage to the respectable man who has given a free Constitution to America. Perhaps my name may have reached you. Perhaps you have sometimes heard me spoken of as the friend of Lafayette—faithful, like him, to the cause which he cherished —and like him prosecuted by those who would...
71To George Washington from Thomas Hill Airey, 1 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Please to permit a person at the distance of near two Hundred miles from your Excellencies temporary place of residence, and unknown to your Excellency, to intrude on your precious moments while I attempt to impart a matter, that may appear of some importance, & at the same time a mistiry that has evaded the deepest reserches of the Learned, in expounding the Prophetick writings. it is...
72To George Washington from Robert Aitken, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
after very Sincere Congratulations upon Your Excellency’s Election to the distinguished Office of Chief Magistrate of the United States, I beg leave to Solicit your Excellency’s friendship in a Case deeply interesting indeed to me; but in which I conceive, if not mistaken, the Honor and Justice of the Union are also concerned. Your Excellency, I presume, is uninformed of the large Sums of...
73To George Washington from Frantz Joachim von Aken, 15 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
The 1st instant I humbly took the liberty to wait on the Congress or states of America with my Discovery of extinguishing fires; but fearing that either have I not rightly adressed the Letter or could there be some hindering accidents for it’s arrival, occasioned by our actual wars in Europe: I hope Sir! that You’ll graciously excuse my repeated writting to the American People, adressing my...
74To George Washington from Charles-Guillaume Vial D’Alais, 16 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
jay l’honneur de vous prîer de vouloir bien Sollicitter pour moy La decoration de L’ordre de Cincinnatus prés de L’auguste assemblée que vous presidés. Mr de biron mon ancien Colonel à eu L’honneur de vous La demender pour moy il y à prés de 15 mois en vous priant de me L’adresser à Cayenne ou je venois d’etre Nommé Comandant en chef. vous trouverés, Monsieur Cy joint un extrait de mon etat de...
75To George Washington from Albemarle Independent Company, 29 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
The County of Albemarle in General & the Gentlemen Volunteers in particular are truly alarmed, & highly incensed with the unjustifiable proceedings of Lord Dunmore, who we are informed has Clandestinly taken possession of our ammunition lodged in the Magazine, we should have attended at Fredericksburgh in order to have proceeded to Williamsburgh to demand a return of the powder, had the Alarm...
76To George Washington from Colonel Ichabod Alden, 4 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last July I was Ordered By Brigr Genl Stark to the Command at this place; Ever since I have done what was In my Power to unite the People and Defend & Secure the property of Those that Are Freinds to the Cause of America, Being Stationed at this place & Being Informd that there was a Number of People Living at a place Distance from this about thirty Miles Called the Butter nuts, Which place...
77To George Washington from Captain Judah Alden, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Serjeant by whome your Excellency will Receive this I have sent under his cair three disarters from New York who came to this post this afternoon; the Newspapers and other printed Letters Inclos’d with this, I took from them. A schooner from New York under the sanction of a Flag of truce came up the River this afternoon. I brought hir too, found by hir passport she was bound to Sing Sing,...
78Enclosure: Roger Alden to Charles Thomson, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been induced by desire of Mr Fisher to suspend writing to you until this time respecting some transactions in which he is materially concerned. It is a duty which I owe to you to declare the truth. As I never could practise duplicity to serve myself I never will be guilty of it to oblige another. On the first of this month he asked my permission to be absent 8 or ten days to collect...
79Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 14 July 1790. In response to Tobias Lear’s request for copies of state acts ceding lighthouses and related property to the federal government, sends a copy (not found) of an exemplified New York act, the only one transmitted to the Department of State since the receipt of those of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which have already been forwarded to the president. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
80To George Washington from Roger Alden, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, the original communications from the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, and copies of his letters addressed to the late Secretary of Congress. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir—Your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; copy, in Alden’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 149. Winthrop...
81To George Washington from Roger Alden, 31 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to Your Excellency the news papers of this day, published in the city of New York—and I am directed by the Members of Congress present to transmit them daily —with the greatest respect I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & most Humble servt. Copy, DNA:PCC , item 49. Roger Alden (d. 1836) of Connecticut, major and aide-de-camp to Jedediah Huntington...
82Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 8 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of State has given directions, that six copies of the Laws, in sheets, should be delivered to the President of the United States—Agreeably to his orders I have the honor to transmit the Laws passed this session; in future they will be regularly sent from this office, as printed, and at the close of the Session, the same number bound, with marginal Notes and Index. I am—sir your most...
83Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
84To George Washington from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794. The entry for 12 July in GW’s journal of proceedings lists among the papers sent "to the Secy. of War for his consideration" a letter "from Alexr. Murray 8 July ’94. soliciting naval appointment" ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 . Charlottesville, Va., 1981. , 312). The cover of that...
85To George Washington from William Alexander, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I find Congress have it in Contemplation to open a land office, for the Sale of the public lands North West of the river ohio, and that a Surveyor General or superintendant will be appointed. I take the liberty to offer myself for that office and should you think me worthy of it, I shall endeavour to do the duty faithfully. I was by warrant under the hand and seal of Mr Hutchins late...
86To George Washington from William Alexander, 10 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by my friends, I take up my Pen to ask you for the appointment, of Naval Officer, for the District of Baltimore; which if conferred on me, I flatter myself, it will be executed with the Stricktest propriety. As Offices, flow through the channel of Favor, when candidates, are equally qualified to execute them—permit me, Sir, in that case, to offer an argument in my favor? that there...
87To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 17th inclosing one to Col. Willet came duely to hand, and the enclosure forwarded. Col: Olney on receipt of my letter of the 17th thought it necessary to see me before Carryg it into execution, he Came down on friday and returned the same fully satisfied as to the points he was doubtfull of; I made some addition to his Instructions, and wrote a letter to the Officer...
88To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
‘Tis a very great mortification to me to find my Feet are in such a Condition this Morning as to make it improper for me to go abroad. I esteem the misfortune the greater at this moment as it deprives me of the Pleasure and Honor of paying my Respects to Count Rochambeau and the Officers of the army under his Command. I am with the highest Respect and Regard, your Excellency’s most Obedient...
89To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
After examining and Compareing all the different Caracters that have come into my mind as proper to fill the Office of Commissary of prisoners of war; none appear to me to be so well qualified for it, as Capt. Sill one of my Aids de Camp; he has had an exceeding good education, which he industriously improves on every occasion, his Stile is Strong Clear and polite, well Versed in figures,...
90To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 21 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 18th Instant—that part of my letter of the 11th Instant relative to the boundaries between Canada and The United States must have been misunderstood, for I had not the most distant idea of an attempt of that kind under our present circumstances, it was only meant to give my idea’s of some consequential points that should hereafter...
91To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 14 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Memorandums for immediate Consideration If it should be found to be true that the Enemy’s armed Vessels are detained in the Ice in Lake Champlain, would it not be very proper to send of a party to bring away their Cannon Riging &c. and to destroy the Vessels. If the Object of an Expedition is Confined to this; 800 or 1000 Men will be Sufficient and the Chief preparation will be in getting...
92To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 20 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Storm yester d ay prevented my leaveing Rhynbeck ’till this morning; It however has been no loss of time to me, as I was employed in finishing my Answer to your Excellency’s Querries of the 15th which I now send enclosed. The marginal notes are added meerly to give your Excellency my Ideas of two CoOperating Armies; the one thro’ Jersey to Staten Island Bergen Neck and long Island; the...
93To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s public orders of this day, I have (with Colo. Swift, one of the field officers for tomorrow) viewed the approaches to this Camp, and think the following advanced pickets will be necessary, viz. Picket No. 1. a Sub., &c. and 24 privates, to be posted at the fork of the road, which leads to Crotons New Bridge, and the road leading to Kings ferry Picket No. 2. A...
94To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to the liberty your Excellency has given me, I now send you some thoughts which have occured to me, Since I had the honor of seeing you. An operation I think should be Carried on thro’ New Jersey for the following reasons. 1st When the Grand Army is advanced as far as Dobbs’s ferry, a Communication may be Opened and preserved across Hudsons River (by Batteries on each side) so as to...
95To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
On the 19th of February last I stated to General Heath by Letter, the Objections made by General McDougal to my siing as president of the Court Martial appointed for his Tryal, with my reasons for being of Opinion that there was no good cause of Challenge shewn either by the Martial Law known to us, or by any Common or Statute Law that we can have referrence to, of this Letter I suppose...
96To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 20 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on the glorious victory you have obtain’d over the British Arms on the 19th of October at York and Gloucester in Virginia. An event important in the Affair of Europe as well as America; it will weigh heavy in the political Scale of Negociation; and I hope secure peace to America on the principles of Independency and honor, with permanent advantages...
97To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that the two Regiments of New hampshire troops are Compleatly embarked and sailed for Newburgh, notwithstanding they have had some disagreeable weather and contrary winds. The Rhode Island Regiment has marched and before this time is at Saratoga. All is quiet to the westward & Northward. A Party of Weissenfelts fell in with one of the...
98To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Being on a Visit to the posts we occupy on the Mohawks River; and detained by a Severe Snow Storm two days longer than I expected, was the reason of my not writeing your Excellency by the last post, at Johnstown I found that by a little repair of some of the deserted houses a Regiment may be Comfortably quartered there dureing the Winter; If your Excellency would Chuse to have one remain...
99To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
the frequent use of Division and Brigade Courts Martial is distressing to the officers of the army. in our present Scituation we may have nine of those Courts at the same time, employing at least 126 Officers. I am Convinced the whole busyness might at present be done by two Generals Courts Martial at which the Judge advocate and his Deputy may attend. the busyness would be more regularly...
100To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 14 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writeing your Excly the 7th Instant by the post; since which nothing material has occur’d. the frontiers to the Northward as well as Westward as yet Continue in peace. Yesterday arrived here from Canada one man and 22 Weomen and Children taken about two years ago on the Ohio and frontiers of pensilvania and Virginia by the Indians among whom they remained till last Spring,...